New Zealand bans toxic pesticide endosulfan within a month

Date:12-24-2008

Some citrus and tomato growers face ruin after a decision to ban the pesticide endosulfan within a month, Horticulture New Zealand says.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority has banned importing, manufacturing and using the highly toxic chemical from January 16.

Endosulfan is used on crops including vegetables, berries and citrus fruit. It is also used for worm control at parks and sports grounds.

Endosulfan has already been banned in 55 countries.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock said yesterday's decision and tight timeframe was "extraordinary".

"We asked for a phase-out period of five years so a handful of industries could find sensible alternative products to use. In a couple of cases there are no alternatives. Citrus and tomato growers are going to be under huge pressure."

Northland citrus grower Rick Curtis said endosulfan use was falling, but was still needed to control voracious pests.

With no alternatives available, growers faced reduced yields and quality, he said.

"For some growers, it could make things uneconomical."

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said she was pleased endosulfan would no longer be used, but was concerned how it would be disposed of. An estimated 26,000 litres of the chemical remains in the country.

A Wellington City Council spokesman said it had stopped using endosulfan and had just 20 litres left.

According to Local Government New Zealand, 18 of 73 district or city councils still use endosulfan.

An Erma spokeswoman said plans would be in place for the safe disposal of endosulfan by January 16.

Erma decision-making committee chairwoman Helen Atkins said adverse effects to the environment and human health outweighed any positive effects of the chemical.

Environment Minister Nick Smith said public concerns over endosulfan were justified. "New Zealand needs to protect its clean, green image by taking a cautious approach to the use of hazardous chemicals."